Polls open across Salem today, Nov. 7 until 8 p.m.

The long-anticipated, much-talked-about municipal election is now in full swing.

The citywide election comes just weeks after a Sept. 12 preliminary election - in which voters whittled the fields of the Salem City Council’s Ward 2 and at-large contests

Polls opened at 7 a.m. across the city and remain open until 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be returned to Salem City Hall, 93 Washington St., at 8 p.m.

Voters will also weigh in on the Salem City Council-approved, hotly debated Sanctuary for Peace ordinance, placed on the ballot by a citizen petition. A “yes” vote on the ballot question is a vote in support of the ordinance, and a “no” vote is a vote in opposition.

And for all the contested races, the Salem Gazette sent candidates questions for a 2017 voters’ guide.

Candidates’ answers to the newspaper’s questions, both biographical and issue-based, can be found below. (Clicking on each candidate’s name will take readers to responses in a new webpage.)

Mayoral race (For one, four-year term)

Kim Driscoll (Incumbent)

Paul Prevey

At-large council race (Four, two-year terms open, meaning voters can vote for up to four candidates)

School Committee (For three, four-year terms, meaning voters can vote for up to three candidates)

Manny Cruz

Andrea French

Amanda Campbell

Ana Nuncio

The last day to register for the Nov. 7 municipal election is Wednesday, Oct. 18. Ward 2 Precincts 1 and 2 voters cast ballots in a new polling location: Inside the main hall of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 24 St. Peter’s St.

Salem City Council unanimously voted in a special meeting July 31 for the relocation as a result of the closure of their old polling place: St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church.

Other helpful links:

- Learn more about the Sanctuary for Peace ordinance from the city: http://bit.ly/2A15voo